The hierarchy at Leeds United are in talks with the players about deferring their wages to try and cope with the financial implications of coronavirus, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay.
Leeds United Players Could Take Temporary Pay Cut
Players “Open” to Capping Wages
Managing director Angus Kinnear and director of football Victor Orta held a meeting with the players on Tuesday, where they discussed the possibility of deferring wages. Leeds boasts the highest average attendance in the Championship, and without the comfort blanket of parachute payments like many of their rivals, the suspension of football will impact their finances more than most other clubs.
As a result of this, Marcelo Bielsa’s players are reportedly open to the idea of having their wages cut to help the situation.
The Whites currently sit top of the Championship. They have five home games left to play, from which they’d have gained a lot of income.
In addition, Bielsa and his backroom staff could also be deferring their wages.
A Cap of £6,000 a Week
One of the options is for the players to temporarily have their wages capped at £6,000 a week. That’s half of the league’s average. The Athletic are reporting that they’ll make an official decision at some point this week.
Leeds have an annual turnover of £45 million, but their wage bill has risen to £40 million as the Whites have set about returning to the Premier League.
Due to the coronavirus crisis, clubs up and down the continent are facing financial uncertainty. Leeds’ Championship rivals Birmingham City have asked players who are earning more than £6,000 a week to take a 50% pay cut for four months. Birmingham will then pay them back in stages when football resumes.
Heart of Midlothian captain Steven Naismith has accepted a 50% pay cut in an attempt to help the club survive whilst football is suspended, meanwhile, in Europe, Bayern Munich are the first top-flight club in which players have agreed to the pay cut.
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